Mom duties are still a full-time job for some working parents, on top of the full-time job they actually get paid for. The latest example is super mom Brittany Pettersen, a Democratic congressional representative for Colorado, who recently interrupted her maternity leave to travel to Washington D.C. to participate in an important vote for her party. 

Pettersen, who gave birth to her son Sam just four weeks ago, made the trip because without her, she wasn’t sure that her party would have enough votes to achieve the outcome they hoped for. During the voting session, she also took the opportunity to speak on the house floor—all while cradling her sleeping son.

She revealed that she was not given the opportunity to vote remotely. “I wasn’t going to let them stop from being here to represent my constituents,” she said during her speech.

Pettersen admitted that the trip was challenging—think about the sheer amount of newborn gear that babies need with bottles, sound machines, travel cribs, and more. On top of that, she made the trip by herself, which in itself is admirable. But she wasn’t exactly alone when she got there; her community stepped up to support her. 

Pettersen told Colorado Public Radio that her congressional colleagues showed up at the airport to help her transport her luggage to the place she was staying, as well as bringing her food when needed. And while Pettersen might have a less common job, she goes through all the same trials and tribulations that all parents of newborns have to endure. She told the radio station that Sam is only sleeping one or two hours at a time so she’s been exhausted. Politicians: They’re just like us! 

Returning to work after having a baby is tough on almost all new moms, even if they have generous maternity leave (employees of the legislative branch of the government get 12 weeks). 

Research shows that the return to work often coincides with the decision to stop breastfeeding, for instance. Meanwhile, other studies have found that the so-called motherhood penalty often “comes with an assumption that mothers are less committed or competent,” which can result in fewer opportunities for promotions and pay raises.

No one could seriously accuse Pettersen of being anything less than totally dedicated to her job, but all moms deserve much more grace and support given the monumental caregiving tasks they are expected to perform. 

The Democrats ended up losing the vote, but Pettersen doesn't regret making the trip. “I wasn't going to sit back and not vote for anything where I could potentially be the difference,” she later told Colorado Public Radio.